1955 Steel BaseBoard Radiators

BrooklynMike

Does anyone have any information on the steel baseboard radiators installed in my 1955 Cape Cod in Norwalk CT. This units predate the use of aluminum finned radiators like Slant Fin. Thanks

Steamhead

Are there any names or emblems on them? Post a pic if you can.

BrooklynMike

Thanks, No identification that I can see. The end caps have a plain raised rectangular medallion with nothing on it. It is a 3/4 copper (?) tube with steel fins that don't bend easily. Steel covers are a heavy gauge steel . There are bleed elbow valves on one end and are have sweat fitting to copper supply pipes. Some baseboards are 1/2 inch and all baseboards are supplied from mono flo tees on a 1 1/4 copper tube supply. The baseboard height is about 6 1/2 inches; there are no adjustable dampers to control the heat output. Any new work in this house uses modern Slant Fin. End caps don't fit too well. Fin spacing is greater than on Slant Fin.

mattmia2

Fin tube element is available in copper and black iron. Black iron with steel fins is more of a commercial product. It is a bit more durable than copper and has a little more mass and a little less expansion. There I think is also cast iron element for baseboard. The Iron and steel is a bit of a better product but also harder to work with and more expensive now though I don't know if that was the case in the 50's. I suppose it could be copper tube but it is usually black iron.

Big Ed_4

Iron Slanfin 1" or larger .. Assume 1" which would be High output … You have enough :). Cast iron is another animal …..